Chapter 20 Nightmare On Elm Street

A classic horror movie with the same cursed awful sequel pattern just like most of older horror films. I remember I watched this as a kid when I wasn't supposed to and suffering the consequences. It perfectly sums up my life.

-

Being next to her... holding her, a real person, a beautiful and clever and sweet person... it was terrifying.

I was afraid of growing attached to her for obvious reasons but god I was already attached to her the moment I found her in that gas station bathroom- obviously not a very pleasant thought to reminisce about but still. The worst part was, I didn't feel guilty about caring for her, I didn't want to punish myself by letting go and staying away I just wanted to be next to her. I want to be the thing that keeps her sleeping soundly tonight and even I could probably sleep well if my heartbeat wasn't so loud and if I wasn't so freaking scared right now.

Scared in a... good way? As in you voluntarily watch the horror movie or ride the rollercoaster or spend the ridiculous amount of money on the haunted house... for the thrill of it.

Even if it wasn't what I was originally going for, I guess I did something right.

I dug my face into her hair- still damp- and breathed in the smell of lavender soap, a smell that fit this human so perfectly.

The only downside apart from my pure terror is that her skin is like ice. You touch her and suddenly you have goosebumps and you're breathing out puffs of steam into the air.

I think I'm overanalyzing everything I'm discovering about her because of the nerves but can you blame me?

We all jumped at the sound of pounding at the door. Kyle was the first one on his feet and he crept towards the door while we all stood alert, preparing for whoever was on the other side of the door and whatever they wanted.

Kyle swiftly opened the door and eased up as soon as Jasmine's face was revealed on the other side. Even Ayla took a breath of relief but part of me was very aware that she might be the mole.

She glanced between all of us before inviting herself inside, "So... what is this?"

"I could ask you the same question," I rolled my eyes.

She crossed her arms and huffed, "If you must know, I was looking for Kyle."

Kyle smirked and shrugged, "I mean I believe it."

'But it's two in the morning?'

I glanced down at Ayla who was looking up at me with concerned eyes.

'The hours between ten p.m. and two a.m. are when Jasmine and Kyle have book club.'

Her lips parted and eyebrows furrowed together, her eyes squinting at me and expression instantly asking a question she definitely didn't want answered. 'Book club?'

"Jasmine I'm sorry but you can't be here," Mavis interjected, stepping forward. "I love you and I trust you, you know I do but... For the sake of Ayla and based on how you've treated her since she got here, I can't have you here."

Jasmine looked taken aback but quickly recovered, "Yeah right. What's this about anyways?"

I cut in front of Jasmine and stared down at her. I knew better than to question Jasmine's loyalty with all she has had to prove. She's a founding member of the rebellion, which even I can't say. Obviously she doesn't like Ayla for a reason that I understand so I simply asked, "Did you kill Ayla's parents?"

Her eyes widened and she quickly laughed, "And dragged their bodies all the way back here? Yeah no definitely not."

"Someone in this base who knows where Ayla's house is has been spying on us for the other side. There's no way anyone over there would know of her home. They deliberately killed Reece and Amanda and had them sent here to send a message."

I heard Ayla inhale sharply and I looked down at her to find her looking towards the wall with her arms crossed over each other. I felt sorry that our investigation would only bring up more pain.

Jasmine nodded, "Well you know who's been mysteriously missing?" She looked between us waiting for someone to answer for her before she answered herself, "Ethan."

My heart stopped.

Kyle laughed, "I almost forgot he somewhat is a part of this. No way. He wouldn't have the balls to go out and do that."

"Maybe not to take you all on with violence and force, but to snitch?" Jasmine rolled her eyes, "Come on now." She tapped her fingernails against the sleeve of her black shirt, she was confident about her suspicions and made a good point. Ethan has always been quiet so of course he wasn't around but... perhaps he's actually been sneaking out. Perhaps he's done more or is planning more...

"You guys aren't seriously considering Ethan to have been behind this, right?" Kyle sounded more serious, as if the association would therefore make him guilty too.

I delicately shrugged while Mavis put a hand on his shoulder, "It's okay, Ky. We will find out more let's not jump to conclusions." Mavis, Kyle and Ethan were also all founding members of the base so in my mind it was hard to imagine why someone would betray what Eveline did for them and I could see Mavis was trying hard not to believe it too.

"He... drove me around and always checks on me whenever we bump into each other," Ayla sighed and shook her head. "I don't know what to think this is too much right now."

"Ethan didn't do this!" Kyle snapped.

We all stood silent before Jasmine nonchalantly broke the silence with a question, "Then let's head down to his room and see if he's even here."

Kyle's face was bright red and his lips were folded into an angry thin line. He threw himself out the door first and hurried down the hall to his brother's room.

I thought back to all the arguments I've seen between Kyle and Ethan. They've always had a rocky relationship while they were here and I think everyone has a story of watching the two redhead twins argue or in some cases physically fight. Kyle always seemed to win and although Ethan was smarter, he just wasn't as liked compared to Kyle. It was sad to watch so Ethan kept his distance and kept quiet. He wasn't cocky like his brother or always inviting girls back to his bedroom, he was a good friend and a good guy I don't want to believe it could be him. Especially knowing Ayla likes him and her parents personally entrusted him to drive her.

"I'm sure it can't be him," I whispered.

Ayla looked up at me and I glanced back at her. Fear lined her glossy eyes and I wanted to just search through Ethan's thoughts and tell her it wasn't true, but I know I couldn't do that.

"Let's go," I said with a nod. It sounded like J needed more convincing, obvious nerves in my voice.

We rounded the corner and found Ethan's room unlocked with the lights off. Kyle was still fuming and opened the door so hard it ricocheted off the wall next to it.

Jasmine and Kyle entered, turning the lights on. Part of me sank when the bed was made and empty.

Ayla sighed and turned away, tears welling up in her eyes. "They trusted him."

I went in after them with Mavis and checked under the bed, in the closet, behind the door, any corner that might hide a tall redhead.

Kyle groaned and sent his fist into the wall which made all of us gasp and take a step back.

"Ky..." Jasmine whispered gently. "This isn't your fault let it go before you do something you'll regret."

Kyle removed his fist from the wall, blood immediately spilling in thick drips to the floor along with pieces of brick lodged in cuts in his hand. His knuckles were already purple and bleeding profusely with chunks of wall which made me gag.

Mavis sighed, "Perhaps he's somewhere else? Maybe in the bathroom-"

"He's not here!" Kyle barked in Mavis' face making her flinch.

"Kyle Wells calm the hell down." Jasmine narrowed her eyes, her hand instinctively going to her back pocket.

"This is a lot and it's been a long night," I cut in but felt a pinch of fear in my stomach when Kyle's bloodthirsty eyes met mine. "Let's just... get some sleep and we will tell the head all of this tomorrow morning. We will figure it out."

Ayla came out from behind me and approached Kyle, staring up at him before wrapping her arms around his waist.

I gulped.

Kyle's expression started to soften and he quickly closed his eyes, "I'm sorry guys..." he said lowly. "I just... I'm sorry I lost it."

He hugged Ayla back, towering over her but still still rubbing her back and whispering a thank you into her ear.

"Now more than ever it is important that we stay together," Mavis said. "We can't fight or argue or tell anyone other than the head about what we concluded tonight."

Part of me didn't want to tell the head but at this point... if we couldn't turn to her then we couldn't do anything. This base has to be prepared for anything at anytime now. We had to prepare for a sudden jumpstart in this silver war.